It was the latest of several recent events organized to inform state leaders and residents of the economic devastation that could lie ahead if the proper legislative steps aren't taken in the coming weeks to help New York's imperiled horse racing industry.

Organized by Saratoga-based racing advocacy group ThoroFan, the rally brought out thoroughbred breeders and trainers and city business owners.

"We have a sincere interest in the need for near-term resolution of the several issues surrounding the upcoming racing meet and the long-term preservation of the city's racing heritage," ThoroFan education committee chairman Bob Giordano said.

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"It's the fans' turn," he said. "We need to have our voice heard."

While this year's Saratoga racing schedule has already been announced, New York Racing Association has been teetering on the edge of fiscal insolvency due in great part to the state's inability to select an operator for video lottery terminals at the proposed Aqueduct racino.

Several state, county and city officials attended Sunday's rally, including Saratoga Springs supervisors Matthew Veitch and Joanne Yepsen.

"This is not just about Saratoga Springs, this is not just about horses running around a track," Yepsen said, referring to placards declaring the 35,000 jobs across the state that would be lost if racing is discontinued.

"Stop playing games with this industry," Veitch said. "We don't want Saratoga to become an exhibit," he added, motioning toward the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame located only blocks away.

"It's a quality of life issue," Saratoga Springs Finance Commissioner Kenneth Ivins Jr. said. "We're looking at probably a 10 percent loss in revenue. That also means a 25 percent loss of what we make in property tax."

Deputy Mayor Shauna Sutton also attended the rally.

State Assemblyman James Tedisco contributed his thoughts on the importance of the Saratoga racing meet as well. "This is not only a jewel for Saratoga or for the region. This is a jewel for the state and the United States of America," he said. Tedisco's primary residence is in his Schenectady County district, but he owns a second home in Saratoga Springs. He told those in attendance to keep putting pressure on state leaders and to not let them forget that racing is a key economic issue as they move slowly toward passing the state's budget, now almost a month overdue.

"The budget works with three men in a room, and three men in a room can't even get out of the room," he said, adding that on racing issues, the governor and legislative leaders have "shot themselves in both feet."

Leaders have yet to agree on the protocol that should be used to select a vendor following the New York State Lottery Division's refusal to certify Aqueduct Entertainment Group citing possible conflicts of interest between state leaders and corporation stakeholders. On March 11, Gov. David Paterson withdrew support for AEG in light of state and federal investigations into allegations of corruption in the selection process.

This week, the governor and local legislators will try to push a plan through to allow NYRA to borrow $17 million in funds meant for the construction of the Aqueduct facility. The money could be used to make scheduled capital improvements to facilities at Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga.

"We all need to contact them," said Jeff Clark, president of the Downtown Business Association. He urged supporters to sign a petition being circulated and to ask their friends and family members statewide to call and write to state leaders.